'ere now, 'ere now, 'ere now, wot's all this frangipani grousing?
Somebody needs to go have a look at himself in the (up)lift(in') mirror &
recall his bon vivant nature!
In the meantime (yes, isn't it), in honor of the anniversary of Mizz Gwen's
birth today (I can't bring myself to call it her birthday under the
circumstances--it just seems tactless--and there otter be another term for
the birthday of somebody who's dead anyway), have a squidge at Warpland, all
yez out there in Woofland--Candice
It does give new meaning to "many happy returns, though, I must admit....
____________
>
> THE SECOND SERMON ON THE WARPLAND
>
>
> 1.
> This is the urgency: Live!
> and have your blooming in the noise of the whirlwind.
>
> 2.
> Salve salvage in the spin.
> Endorse the splendor splashes;
> stylize the flawed utility;
> prop a malign or failing light--
> but know the whirlwind is our commonwealth.
> Not the easy man, who rides above them all,
> not the jumbo brigand,
> not the pet bird of poets, that sweetest sonnet,
> shall straddle the whirlwind.
> Nevertheless, live.
>
> 3.
> All about are the cold places,
> all about are the pushmen and jeopardy, theft--
> all about are the stormers and scramblers, but
> what must our Season be, which starts from Fear?
> Live and go out.
> Define and
> medicate the whirlwind.
>
> 4.
> The time
> cracks into furious flower. Lifts its face
> all unashamed. And sways in wicked grace.
> Whose half-black hands assemble oranges
> is tom-tom hearted
> (goes in bearing oranges and boom).
> And there are bells for orphans--
> and red and shriek and sheen.
> A garbageman is dignified
> as any diplomat.
> Big Bessie's feet hurt like nobody's business,
> but she stands--bigly--under the unruly scrutiny, stands in the wild weed.
>
> In the wild weed
> she is a citizen,
> and is a moment of highest quality; admirable.
>
> It is lonesome, yes. For we are the last of the loud.
> Nevertheless, live.
>
> Conduct your blooming in the noise and whip of the whirlwind.
>
> --Gwendolyn Brooks, from *In the Mecca*, 1968
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